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05-09-2018, 10:22 AM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Muncie, IN
Posts: 3
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Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Hello all, new to 89-98 - I've had 3 99-06 and am pretty familiar with those.
ok so let me try and be concise here : I know that with the 99-06 when you are running a drop spindle your wheel needs to be 17" or bigger for clearance from the lower ball joint, or a 16" wheel will work if you run a ball joint spacer. So, with these 89-98 trucks is it the same deal? I seem to have seen a few trucks when researching that run drop spindles with stock 15" wheels, which is what I want to do. So is there a certain manufacturers spindle that needs to be run? I've used Mcgaughys on 2 of my 99+ trucks and have nothing but praise for them. I have a 94 Silverado shortbed 2wd with 454ss wheels. Thanks! |
05-09-2018, 02:29 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Falls Church Va
Posts: 77
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Correct, a 15" wheel won't clear the lower control arm with a dropped spindle. You can clearance the lower control arm and make it work however. You have to grind out part of the lower control arm, there are some posts out there with details I am sure.
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05-09-2018, 05:53 PM | #3 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
My 17" rims needed alot of clearancing to run tiny 2" spindles, I'd think you would need backspacing to be perfect to make 15"s work?
My 78 and my old 79 both ran 3" spindles with 15"s no problems or grinding. Ahhh the good old days
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
05-10-2018, 08:05 AM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Posts: 3,153
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
BellTech spindles push the front wheel track width out slightly to try and compensate and clear the control arm with smaller wheels, but then you can run into tire rubbing issues with your fenders if you're too low and I just think it looks bad with the wider front track.
Here's a picture (not mine) showing how to trim the "rain gutter" on the control arms to give clearance. |
05-10-2018, 10:46 AM | #5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Muncie, IN
Posts: 3
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Thanks for the replies folks!
Quote:
I wonder if that's a 15" wheel? That doesn't seem like too big of a deal grinding/cutting the lower arm, I would just worry at some point taking out too much material and loosing the integrity of the arm. But if that's a 15" wheel in that pic then it'd be ok, I think. I wonder if that's one of those compensating bell tech spindles? So I wonder if I got a mcgaughy spindle if I'd have to clear out even more material, 'cause I surely wouldn't want to clear much more than in that pic. |
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05-10-2018, 01:14 PM | #6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Posts: 3,153
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Quote:
No, those aren't BellTech spindles. They're DJM, I believe. DJM used to sell plates that you could weld onto the bottom of your control arms to box them in after trimming the lip off, but it's really more of a placebo. I know guys who have run trimmed arms without boxing them in for years without a lick of trouble from it, so you'll be fine. |
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05-10-2018, 10:44 PM | #7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Muncie, IN
Posts: 3
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Quote:
That should settle it then for me, spindles are a-go with a little cutting/grinding. Thanks! |
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05-11-2018, 12:44 PM | #8 | |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Quote:
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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05-11-2018, 06:15 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,990
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Dropped spindles (Belltech) & 15" Ralleys.....
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
05-11-2018, 08:23 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,461
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
I had a 90 that I lowered with spindles and had stock 8" rally's on it. It was 20 years ago, so don't remember all the details. But don't recall having to clearance anything.....
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05-16-2018, 11:42 PM | #11 | |
Rollin' Old Skool
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 5,371
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Re: Drop Spindle with 15" wheels ?
Quote:
I now have a '97 Tahoe with DJM 2" drop spindles. I bought 15" Wheel Vintiques smoothie wheels & did custom 4.5" backspacing. Once I trimmed the lower control arms, no issues with them either. However, I did have to grind down my calipers a bit to prevent rubbing, because I got a little too much backspacing.
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_____________________________________________ Phillip My Build threads: 1966 Chevy C-10 "Black Betty" shortbed, fleetside, BBW, 327 V8/ Powerglide (under construction) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=betty 1997 Chevy Tahoe, 2dr/2wd, mild custom (Daily driver) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=601142 Pics: '66 C-10 https://flic.kr/s/aHsjHWD4h9 '97 Tahoe https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGZ7wKP '93 C-1500 https://flic.kr/s/aHskxdpdnQ '88 S-10 Blazer https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYGx4Md Previous Rides: 1993 Chevy S-10 ext. cab, 4.3L, 4/5 drop (Sold) 1993 Chevy C-1500 short/step Retro-Rod (Sold) 1988 S-10 Blazer 2dr/2wd mild custom (Sold) |
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